Ian Wright makes surprising predictions on Rashford’s next Premier League club
Marcus Rashford has a big decision to make this summer, with boyhood club Manchester United happy to sell him permanently after a promising loan spell with Aston Villa
Newcastle United would be the best destination for Marcus Rashford this summer, according to Ian Wright. Rashford has enjoyed himself since joining Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United in January and a permanent move to Birmingham appears the most likely option once the summer transfer window opens.
The England forward has four goals and six assists in 17 appearances for Villa and appears a good fit for Unai Emery ’s team. He has earned the Villa manager’s trust, playing ahead of Ollie Watkins against Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League quarter-final.
Villa have a £40million option to buy Rashford at the end of the loan agreement and United are keen to cash in as they plot a busy summer window. Rashford’s contract at his boyhood club runs until June 2028, but Ruben Amorim has made it clear he doesn’t want him, meaning a decision will need to be taken once the window opens on June 1.
Mirror Football understands that Rashford does not want to join Villa permanently and has ruled out moving to a London club. He is keen to compete in the Champions League next season and Wright has therefore come up with a leftfield suggestion that could fit the brief.
“It’s the kind of signing Newcastle should be making,” Wright said on his Ringer FC podcast. “That would be amazing. That would be dangerous. Rashford at Newcastle? Yeah. That would be really good. I really like that for Rashford. Rashford at Newcastle can be dangerous.”
Newcastle are currently fifth in the Premier League and in line to qualify for the Champions League, with an extra spot awarded to the division by UEFA this season. They are two points ahead of Chelsea and Villa with five games left to play.
Were he to join Eddie Howe’s side, Rashford would be competing with Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon for a place on the left of their 4-3-3 formation. However, Rashford is fully focused on playing for Villa for the time being and does not plan to address his future until the end of the season.
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He would be open to moving abroad, with Spain of particular interest. Yet his wages could be an issue, given he is currently paid around £325,000-a-week by United. But speaking in December after being frozen out by Amorim, the 27-year-old explained how he wants to leave United when the time comes.
“For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps,” Rashford said. “When I leave it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person.
“If I know that a situation is already bad I’m not going to make it worse. I’ve seen how other players have left in the past and I don’t want to be that person. When I leave I’ll make a statement and it will be from me.”